Weird Al Yankovic's only excursion into film making proved to be a solid effort on his part. With an off-beat story such as this, the frizzy haired patron of pop polka proves his acting is adequate enough to carry a film such as this. While I feel there could have been more Weird Al songs, the comedy wasn't lacking. Michael Richards had his best role ever as Stanley Spadowski the janitor. All of the children's show sequences were hilarious. While this film isn't for all, it was certainly a movie which I can enjoy on many occasions. 6.8/10
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gilgongo19806 April 2020I smiled a lot. Overall, this funny movie is a classic.
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ccthemovieman-16 July 2006For some reason, I never pictured myself watching a film starring "Weird Al" Yankovic. He just looked too weird or too stupid....but he was okay. In fact, he was pretty likable in this fun-but-unmemorable film. He's actually more like Jim Varney''s "Vern" character that was so popular in the '80s: a lame but super nice guy.
That's what "Weird Al" plays in here, a Mr. Nice Guy who prevails against forces of evil against him, in this case a TV station owner: Kevin McCarthy, who plays a totally over-the-top villain.
Yankovic will never win any Academy Awards for his acting but he suffices in this no-brainer comedy. Some of the bits are actually quite clever and some are a bit raunchy (hence the PG-13 rating) but there is almost no profanity in here. Michael Richards was funny as the stupid janitor. Lots of jokes in this movie. You just pick out the ones you like. -
Cowman3 July 2003Michael Richards battling a gang of mobsters with a mop and a staplegun. A clown being smashed with a frying pan, then force-fed dog biscuits. Emo Phillips accidently slicing off his thumb with a tablesaw. And Fran Drescher. Yup, I think it's safe to say that this movie has everything, folks!
"Weird Al" Yankovic's first (and only) movie is everything you would expect from this underappreciated comic genius. It has the same goofy charm as a Weird Al record, and works as an effective visual representation of what Al's music is all about. As you would expect, UHF contains plenty of movie parodies, all of which are spot-on and generally harmless. Die-hard fans can also look forward to seeing a wide array of "Al-isms" like Twinkie-Wiener Sandwiches, detailed rants about bizarre nonsense, usage of the word "weasel", et cetera.
Casual viewers will find the good (U-62) vs. evil (Channel 8) story a bit ho-hum and the humor a little too... Well, a little too weird. But let's face it: this film wasn't made to tell a captivating love story or to inspire us with biting social commentary. It's an excuse for using a new medium to show Al doing what Al does best: being himself. And, as all of us devoted fans can agree, we couldn't possibly ask for anything more! LONG LIVE MR. YANKOVIC! -
This is an okay comedy for me that has become quite the cult classic in its own right. Released in the summer of 89 a year of many big hits, this movie just got lost in the shuffle, but found a home at the local video store. It follows Yankovic's character as he gets to run a television station and turns what should be just a filler channel into one of the top rated networks on television on the back of a wacky children's show host. Al is rather good in his performance and Michael Richards is good as the janitor turned star, and the movie has some really funny parody scenes that I found to be the highlight of this one. There are problems though as the movie bogs down here and there a couple of times and there is not all that much going on. Still it is worth a look as it has some very funny stuff in it as well. So if you want to watch poodles learn to fly, a hilarious Raiders and Rambo spoof, a janitor trying to fight for his freedom from some goons then check it out.
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Smells_Like_Cheese31 August 2004I've always been a big fan of Weird Al. He is so funny. His music is on the floor histerical. My mom bought me UHF saying that if I liked Weird Al, I would probably like this. I'm sorry to say that I didn't. I enjoy Weird Al's humor. But this was too in your face kind of material. The humor was a little dry. Sometimes also a little too strange for me. For Al in fact. And I couldn't get into it. I do think other fans could though. I can see how it is at a 6.6. To fans of Weird Al, it's a classic. But I'll stick to his music. That's his best work in my opinion. But since I still love Al, I'll be nice and give the movie a:
6/10 -
velcrohead26 September 2005It's very telling that I had to look 15 pages deep into the user comments to find one negative review of this movie. And the negative reviews were from insufferable snots.
This movie made me laugh as a teenager, but it also makes me laugh as a fully grown adult. Does that mean the humor is dumb or sophomoric? Not necessarily. What exactly is "adult humor" anyway? Does it necessarily need to contain graphic depictions of sex and generous uses of profanity to be considered sophisticated and adult?? I contend that it does not, and I cite UHF as an example.
The laughs here are genuine, and they come from lack of pretentiousness and an honest feeling that one need not take oneself too seriously at any given moment. Al lets us know that it's OK to make fun of yourself as well as the rest of society. Much of what he does is self-deprecating, and UHF is no exception. He doesn't stand around making fun of others and establishing an air of superiority over the rest of society. As George Newman, he becomes the everyman, infusing much of his own personality along with his on-stage comedic persona. And he's not afraid to kick himself around and then proceed to pull himself up via his own bootstraps. Nobody else has to be hurt.
Plot has never been a big necessity in these spoof/parody movies. "The Naked Gun," "Airplane," "Top Secret," "Johnny Dangerously," and many others have had the most skeletal of plots. Cop must find and bring to justice bad guy who shot his friend. Burned out ex-pilot must save aircraft when crew dies. Rock and roll star must overthrow Nazi plot. Mobster must overcome those who wish to take him down. And in "UHF" we have Loser Man must save TV station from evil network exec. The plot is not important; it's just a vehicle to get us from laugh to laugh and set up the next joke.
UHF's comedy, though basic, rings true, and if you'll drop all of your pretentious airs, you'll get it. (We all know you're not nearly as sophisticated as you think you are anyway.) Who among us can keep from laughing while Raul teaches poodles to fly? Who can stifle a chuckle when Stanley is doing... well... doing just about everything he does in this film? Al admits in his commentaries and interviews that "UHF" is no "Citizen Kane." But that's the beauty of it. There's nothing complex here. It's all about the laugh, and there's where this movie really scores. -
First time sharing it with my sons. They're old enough to level-up, so to speak, so we're finally starting to move beyond Disney and test out some fun stuff.
This one's a virtual sugar-rush of wacky ideas, pulsing lights, loud music and general unbridled zaniness. In other words, a fine representation of Weird Al Yankovic at the height of his powers and a direct hit for twin seven-year-old boys. At heart, it's a loose collection of skits and gags in the spirit of Amazon Women on the Moon or Kentucky Fried Movie, but the humor is generally cleaner and there's just a bit more plot to hold it all together. The central idea of Yankovic in charge of a struggling little TV station, complete with cut-rate production standards and a DIY ethos, opens up all sorts of possibilities and wipes out any need to segue. We're just watching the next commercial / promo / live show; it's that simple.
Al's wide connections in the entertainment industry, and particularly in the world of stand-up comedy, also land the film a seriously loaded supporting cast. Fran Drescher, Victoria Jackson and Emo Philips all make memorable appearances (Al even wrote a part for MST3k's Joel Hodgson, who declined the role), but it's a pre-Seinfeld Michael Richards who really steals the show as an upbeat, energetic janitor with a magnetic personality. Several skits fall on the wrong side of cheesy, and Al himself doesn't always hit a home run as the leading man, but those are mere speed bumps. Small price to pay for the really funny bits. -
"UHF" is, to me, one of the greatest comedies ever. So many great scenes, so many awesome quotes, and best of all, a chance for Weird Al Yankovic to show off his talents, both as an actor and as a singer. Also, it's so much fun to see if you can pinpoint all the references to famous movies that Al puts into this film, such as the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" parody at the beginning, and many others.
The film is the story of George Newman, a young man who has trouble holding a job (and frequently gets his best friend Bob in trouble too) due to his overactive imagination. When he is given ownership of a local TV station, UHF, his imagination can finally be put to good use, in inventing the most bizarre show lineup you can imagine. When a network owner gets jealous of UHF's success, George and his friends and fans must unite to stop him and keep UHF on the air. Michael Richards is also quite excellent as the optimistic, not-too-bright Stanley.
Though it can be somewhat difficult to find, it's definitely worth the time and effort to buy "UHF" on DVD, so you can enjoy Weird Al's movie again and again and again... -
Hey_Sweden28 September 2014Veteran music parodist 'Weird' Al Yankovic makes his feature debut with this engagingly silly comedy. Granted, not all of its jokes were terribly funny for this viewer, but there were some that worked quite well. In his inimitable style, 'Weird' Al sends up TV programming, music videos (naturally), movies, movie trailers, and commercials. The story (Al co-wrote with director Jay Levey, a frequent collaborator) relies on that comfortable old device of a misfit making good.
Al plays George Newman, a fairly immature man who can't hold down a job because of his daydreaming and penchant for thinking up goofy ideas. Well, finally, as luck would have it, he finds an outlet for his creativity. His uncle Harvey (Stanley Brock) comes into possession of a nothing UHF TV station, and George is hired as a manager. Things get off to a rough start, but take off once George decides to put dim witted but well intentioned and lovable janitor Stanley Spadowski (Michael Richards) on the air.
"UHF" does travel far on Als' likability and irreverent sense of humour. Among the programming that he devises are parodies of Phil Donahue like shows ('Talk Time') and game shows ('Wheel of Fish'). For this viewer, the brightest moments include the opening "Raiders of the Lost Ark" spoof, the "Conan the Librarian" sequence ("Don't you know the Dewey decimal system?"), and the extended mocking of Sylvester Stallones' "Rambo" movies (with Als' body makeup created by the guys at KNB).
It also benefits from a strong villain, in this case Kevin McCarthy, who's perfect as nasty and domineering network affiliate boss R.J. Fletcher. The supporting cast features a rich variety of familiar faces in addition to those already mentioned: Victoria Jackson as Als' fed-up girlfriend, soap opera veteran Anthony Geary in an interesting oddball part, and the late Trinidad Silva (to whom the movie is dedicated) as an unconventional wildlife program host, as well as Gedde Watanabe, Billy Barty, John Paragon, Fran Drescher, Sue Ane Langdon, and David Proval. Director Levey appears uncredited as Gandhi. One of the biggest laughs in "UHF" comes from comedian Emo Philips, as the unlikely shop teacher Joe Earley.
Good fun overall, and guaranteed to send its fans away with smiles on their faces. As a bonus, Als' rocking theme song is pretty catchy.
Seven out of 10. -
ewiddison26 July 2001I am a big fan of Al, and so are my friends. Most of them are also big fans of this movie, and so I had it built up quite a bit before I finally saw it. Wow, what a disappointment. The humor was sophomoric, the jokes were crude, and the ending was childish. I never wanted to see it again.
Fortunately, it played on cable at school, and so I ended up watching it during several long nights of homework. Once I had lost sight of the glorious hopes of a quintessential work of comedy, I was able to see this movie for what it really was. Particularly, it is Weird Al doing what he does best: spoofing pop culture and giving fractured takes on the simple things in life. From his take on Indiana Jones (perhaps one of the truest, funniest parodies of another movie found in film, with the crowning irony of reaching for the Oscar that Al and this film could never win), to Stanley's love of his mop, this movie is full of the kind of parody of art and life that has been Al's trademark. Only Al would use a twinkie as a hot dog bun. Only he could include the remorseless sketch about launching animals out of the window.
Still, the movie also had its dull moments. Most irritating of those was his dream/music video about the Beverly Hillbillies. While the computer graphics were pretty good for a low-budget film of its day, it was a pretty lame song to include. That brings up another of my frustrations with the movie. The soundtrack included "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," which is perhaps my all-time favorite song by Weird Al, but it was not found anywhere in the movie (I listened to the end of the credits for it). The fact that I wasn't listening for it any more was probably a key reason why I could enjoy the movie the second time. And, of course, it was entertaining to see such well-known performers as Michael Richards and Fran Dresher in this early role.
After all else is said and done, Al Yankovic delivered a movie that was just good, clean fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll buy a spatula ("Nothing says 'I love you' like the gift of a spatula"). -
firehawk1520 July 2000This is probably, by far, the only movie I've seen that really makes me laugh more and more every time I see it. It's one of the only comedies that has good, clean humor. The whole movie is just a joke itself, a mix of original jokes, and many parodies. Michael Richards is perfect as Stanley, the Janitor. Weird Al is his usual comedic genius, who is also perfect for his role as the manager of 'U62'. For anybody who's in for a night full of laughs, UHF is definitely for you. A comedy masterpiece, 10/10!
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agenericperson6 November 2015This movie is unquestionably a product of its time. UHF TV stations, Weird Al at the height of his popularity, and parodies of popular movies/shows from 80's. The movie is filled with things that should date it to the point of being unenjoyable, yet that doesn't happen. The movie works, even today 26 years later. It doesn't just work. It works really, really well. It's almost baffling that it does. But therein lies the beauty of UHF, you don't need to understand the references. You don't need to know who Weird Al is. The jokes are funny despite this.
This movie wouldn't work if it was made today. No one would bother trying to raise $75,000 to run a UHF station when they could make a channel on YouTube for a fraction of the cost. But the UHF station is just a framework to parody a wide range of shows and movies, including the best Rambo parody of all time. But because of that there are a few movies like it. This has kept the movie relevant after all these years. UHF is a must watch classic. If you're a comedy lover, do yourself a favor and watch this film. -
saint40523 June 2005I just saw UHF and I must say I expected a whole lot better.There were some really good jokes like the whole Indiana Jones opening spoof, the small t.v bits like Ghandi II and Conan the Librarian, Raul's Animal Kingdom,the karate instructor who loves to say stupid " Stuuuuppppiidddd!", and Michael Richards playing the janitor. But every movie has it's down sides as it's up sides. I thought that Richards performance as the janitor got a little annoying after a while, some of the characters were really unneeded like Philo, some of the jokes fall flat like the mashed potato mountain and the cheek pulling, and I did not like, no...I HATED Weird Al's dream sequence with him singing about the Beverly Hillbillies. I came into this movie to experience a laugh riot but instead I came out a little disappointed. It's not as funny as people say it is, it's just mediocre.
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dahlia-81 August 2000It's a real shame this beast didn't do better at the box office; thank heaven it has found its niche among cultish Weird Al fans and 9-year-olds everywhere.
I saw this in the theater when it first came out. Although I've seen more cerebral and highbrow comedies I have never laughed so hard in my life as I did at "UHF". From the sight gag at the very beginning with the tiki head giving a raspberry to the karate guys bursting out of the supply closet in the denouement ("SUPPLIES!") this movie is a consistent howler. It's less a coherent whole than a series of set pieces which are almost entirely extremely funny.
Interesting also are the before-they-were-huge-stars performances, notably Fran Drescher and Michael Richards, who is vaguely disturbing as kiddie-show host Stanley Spedowski.
The PG-13 rating is very harsh. There's a lot here that younger kids will get a real bang out of. I'd say anyone over the age of about 7 will flip over "UHF", unless you're an insufferable snob. -
dworldeater24 March 2015Weird Al Yankovic lets his imagination run wild in this mad, but mostly wholesome comedic vehicle. When his crazy ideas get in the way of pumping out the orders at the burger joint, his boss Big Edna kicks his ass to the curb. He finds a new employment opportunity via his crazy uncle who owns a UHF station that has no one to run it and is about to go under. Weird Al and his slacker buddy David Bowe start to turn the station around with some truly insane, oddball programming. Things really start happening for them when they give the janitor, Stanley Spadowski his own show. Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse, a kids show similar to Pee Wee's Playhouse is an instant hit with kids and adults alike and becomes Channel 62's flagship show. They become instantly successful and really tick off the owner of network Channel 8. The owner of Channel 8 is an evil corporate boss that treats people like doormats and will stoop to any level for ratings domination. Kevin McCarthy is great as the evil corporate tyrant opposite of lovable underdog Weird Al. In my opinion Michael Richards(best known as Kramer on hit sitcom Seinfeld) nearly steals the show as janitor superstar Stanley Spadowski. He is truly at his best here. There are a lot of TV and movie spoofs. Some of them work and are real funny and others are less funny and don't work so well. Weird Al was really cooking with this insane feature and UHF is real funny, off the wall and creative.
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"UHF" is a good parody film, although the movies that it parodies are all now a little dated, as is UHF itself.
A good parody can't just go from skit to skit.
It has to have its own plot, and its own characters we can empathize with. UHF pulls that off.
But only regular filmgoers who are familiar with 1980s films will care.
Who should see this film:
-- comedy lovers with nothing better to do on a rainy day,
or if you've a fondness for 1980s films
I'll give UHF a giving-in-to-nostalgia 7 out of 10. -
planktonrules4 June 2005At times we all can be dreadfully serious when it comes to movies. I know I can be--based on many of my other IMDb reviews, it's obvious I can be critical and occasionally too serious.
Because of this, I am glad there are really funny and stupid movies like this one. While not as sophisticated as The Producers or as wacky as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it is one of the best "turn off your brain and just have fun movies".
The movie can be very amateurish at times and some jokes fall flat. However, the incredible energy and originality of the film make it very endearing. Unfortunately, it is too often just tossed aside as a "dumb movie" by many who just don't give it a chance. So my advice is to sit tight--don't turn it off! Allow yourself to wade through the slower first 1/4 of the movie so you can get to the GOLD, such as Gandhi 2, Conan the Librarian, or the commercials for cut rate funerals or for Spatula City! Feeling depressed or in a funk? See this film to cure what ails you! -
redcrossaint16 April 2022UHF (1989)
2.5/4
'UHF' remains 'Weird Al' Yankovic's only starring vehicle. It's not a very good movie, but it has some stand-out funny parts. Of course, it's stupid, and a bit of an aquired taste. There isn't much else to say about the movie, except for that it hits at times, and misses at others. When it hits, it really hits, and when it misses, it really misses. I kind of liked the movie, and I laughed on a few occasions. But I'm afraid I can't quite recommend the movie.
'UHF' follows George Newman, an unemployed, down on his luck visionary who becomes the manager of an unknown local television station. By a crazy turn of events, the station becomes number one, and wacky humor follows.
'Weird Al' and his director, Jay Levey, don't always hit home runs with their off the wall parodies, but their efforts are always honorable; much of it is funny, and some of it can be sophomoric and stupid. No doubt, 'Weird Al' is the master of the parody, and the opening Indiana Jones spoof is very clever. The film also stars Kevin McCarthy as the rival network executive, and Michael Richards as the optimistic janitor. Richards is very funny in this, some of his scenes are the best in the movie. Kevin McCarthy isn't as good however, but is still funny.
Overall, this movie is a cult item: it features the legendary 'Weird Al' in his only starring role, and the movie is an essential part to 80's cheese. I kind of liked it; it's not a very good movie, but it's not a bad movie like so many other unfunny comedies - which this movie is not. -
"Weird" Al Yankovic once admitted that "UHF" was just a big excuse to be goofy, and you'd better believe that it is. Containing every wacky gag imaginable, the movie tells the story of slacker George Newman (Yankovic), who inherits a defunct TV station, and creates a bunch of loony shows, thereby becoming the most popular station in town, and then has to fight off the vampiric corporate CEO R.J. Fletcher (Kevin McCarthy), who owns a typical TV station and doesn't like competition.
Like Yankovic said, it's an excuse to be goofy. Whether it's "Gandhi II", "Conan the Librarian" or "Wheel of Fish", "UHF" is truly one movie that could only come out of "Weird" Al Yankovic's mind. The only scene where "Weird" Al sings is the "Beverly Hillbillies" sequence, but the nonstop sight gags will have you dying of laughter guaranteed. -
jaroddfinch29 March 2021When I first watch this movie I didn't get any of it or why it was funny until I watch it over and over angia I'm a really big fan of werid al since I was a kid i allways like his music.if you like werid al you will like this.
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Tito-85 March 1999"Weird Al" Yankovic can be an EXTREMELY funny person when he's firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, this film has way too many misfires, and was a big disappointment to me. To be sure, there are a few moments of sheer hilarity, but they are few and far between, and so we have to be distracted by the plot. Problem is, the plot is practically non-existent. This is a film that depends almost entirely on the TV parodies being funny. Not very many of them are.
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Raoul-104 February 1999Basically, this film just kicks serious butt.
This movie is the sad depressing story of a pathetic coyote who spends every waking moment of his life in the futile pursuit of a sadistic road-runner who MOCKS him and LAUGHS at him as he's repeatedly CRUSHED and MAIMED! Hope you en-JOY IT!!!!
It's why, every time I have some mashed potato, I now carve it into a Close Encounters style hill and murmur "This means something". It's why me and my brother play the "I'm thinking about something orange.... it's an orange!" game. It's why I can't watch Seinfeld because Michael Richards will never be as good as he was in this film.
Good God, I just love it. -
FlashCallahan5 January 2012George Newman is a normal man. Problem is, he's also a daydreamer, who can't keep hold of a steady job.
His uncle decides George will be the perfect man to manage Channel 62, a station which is losing money and viewers fast.
George's imagination is put to good use and he starts thinking up bizarre shows such as "Wheels of Fish" and "Raul's Wild Kingdom".
The ratings start to soar again, but not everyone is happy...
The first time I saw this movie, I thought it was genius and very ahead of it's time.
Twenty years later, whilst I still enjoy it's child like, inane humour, it grates on me just when the Beverly Hillbillies song is performed.
I'm not denying that Yankovic is a genius, he really is, but some of this film drags so much, you are at times itching for the remote.
Performances are average of the eighties, as is the hair.
Maybe it's me, i'm getting old, but it just didn't have the same effect as it did back in 1989.
Wish I had those rose tinted specs. -
paul_haakonsen31 December 2015"UHF" is a comedy that you can watch again and again with a couple of years in between. It is a silly movie which includes elements of spoofs in the likes of "Hot Shots" and "Scary Movie".
The story is about George and Bob whom are fired from a fastfood restaurant and end up running a small local TV station. As they come up with wacky TV shows their station grows in popularity, a thing that does not sit well with the TV mogul of another TV station. And with the threat of being bought out, George has to raise a lot of money in order to stay on the air.
Now, there are better comedies available for sure, but "UHF" does offer some good laughs in the company of "Weird Al" Yankovic, Michael Richards, Fran Drescher and Kevin McCarthy.
The spoofs on other movies were quite hilarious, especially the one made on "Rambo".
If you enjoy comedy, and have nothing else to watch, give "UHF" a chance, it might just be what you are looking for.